CEO’s Message
Last Thursday evening, candidates for the VLGA Board Elections presented to the Association’s membership and voters. Members on the Voter’s Roll can watch the webcast before casting your vote. Voting closes at 5pm this Thursday 14 February and we will announce the successful Board candidates the next day on our website. Congratulations to all candidates for nominating and for their commitment to the VLGA. In appointment news, Victoria’s new Auditor-General has been announced as John Doyle, currently Auditor-General of British Columbia in Canada. The VLGA also extends our congratulations to Bernie Geary OAM being named Victoria’s first Commissioner for Children and Young People. In this week’s eNews we have a number of funding opportunities listed for local governments and community groups, so read on for the details. Don’t forget to register for our Council – CEO Relationship: Managing Performance session on 20 March – and as promised, we are bringing you a second session for Putting Together Your First Council Plan due to over-subscription for the session later this week - see below for registration details. Finally, I would like to wish everyone a Happy Lunar New Year and prosperous Year of the Snake! May this Lunar New Year bring you and your families much luck, success, prosperity and harmony.
Have a great week.
Maree McPherson
Keeping you up to date
Tackling problem gambling – what can your council do?
As part of the VLGA’s ongoing advocacy on gambling reform, the Association is hosting an interactive forum for councillors to discuss the role of local governments in problem gambling policy in Victoria. Guided by an expert panel comprised from a range of stakeholders, the forum will explore these topics:
* working with local government leaders to tackle the issue of problem gambling
* why should local government get involved in advocacy on gambling regulation?
* changing the culture: taking a public health approach to addressing problem gambling.
Find out more about this Thursday 14 March forum in the events section below.
VLGA meets with Ministerial Committee on Differential Rates Guidelines
The VLGA met with the Ministerial Advisory Committee on Differential Rates Guidelines, comprised of Parliamentary Secretary for Local Government, David Morris and upper house member David O’Brien, on Friday 8 February. The committee met with local government peak bodies last week and will be holding regional and metropolitan meetings for local governments and other stakeholders around the state. The VLGA argued strongly in favour of local governments retaining the capacity to use differential rates to address important social issues; provide incentives for land use and development, and address the higher service requirements of some large scale industrial developments. The VLGA presented a range of issues and concerns about the draft guidelines, drawing on our recent consultation with local governments. We will be distributing the results of our recent survey on differential rates shortly. Submissions on the draft guidelines close on 28 February and we urge councils and other interested stakeholders to prepare submissions.
VLGA Submission – Walking, Riding and Access to Public Transport draft report
The VLGA has submitted a response to the above draft report of the Major Cities Unit of the Department of Infrastructure and Transport. The VLGA recommendations included:
* a National Walking Strategy be prepared to facilitate a growth in the number of Australians walking
* an infrastructure plan to implement the Strategy
* federal funding for walking infrastructure and safety measures, set at a fixed proportion of commonwealth transport expenditure
* federal funding be made available directly to local governments to improve access to public transport and active transport behaviour change.
Creating employment opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians
At the VLGA’s 2013 Essential Mayors’ Weekend, the Minister for Local Government spoke about the low level of employment of Aboriginal people in local governments across Victoria. A number of mayors have since asked for the VLGA’s advice on how to improve and enhance their local government’s employment practices, so as to increase the number of local Aboriginal people employed in council activities. The VLGA has developed a Good Governance Grab which provides advice in direct response to these requests.
NAIDOC 2013 theme announced
The theme for NAIDOC Week 2013 is ‘we value the vision: Yirrkala Bark Petitions 1963’. This year’s theme proudly celebrates the 50th anniversary of the presentation of the Yirrkala Bark Petitions to the Federal Parliament. For more information about NAIDOC week and this years’ theme visit the NAIDOC website, or visit NAIDOC on Facebook.
Minister appoints Waste and Resource Recovery MAC
The Hon Ryan Smith, Minister for Environment and Climate Change has appointed the members of the Ministerial Advisory Committee (MAC) on Waste and Resource Recovery Governance. The members are Lydia Wilson (Chair), Simon Corden and Paul Clapham. Stakeholder consultation will form a key part of the work of the MAC until late March.
Funding opportunities
Diversity and Social Cohesion Program
The Department of Immigration and Citizenship's Diversity and Social Cohesion Program application round for 2013-14 has opened and closes at 5pm on Friday 1 March 2013. Community organisations can apply for funding of up to $50,000 to develop projects that aim to address issues of cultural, racial or religious intolerance or to develop community capacity-building skills. Projects must provide an opportunity for participation and interaction by different members of the community.
Digital Futures Fund - round two now open
Expressions of interest are now open for stage one of round two of the Victorian Government’s Digital Futures Fund. Applications close at 2pm on Thursday 7 March 2013.
Funding for communities in Coburg Hill and Plenty River
Satterley Property Group has launched community funds to celebrate the second and fifth birthdays of the Coburg Hill Estate and the Plenty River and Riverstone estates respectively. Community groups and organisations in a number of surrounding suburbs are eligible to apply for up to $1,500 in funding. Email for more information or call 1300 955 529.
Events for your diary
VLGA Events
‘Being Deputy Mayor’
Thursday 21 February, 5.30-9pm
60 Leicester St, Carlton
The VLGA is offering our popular development session for those serving as Deputy Mayor in 2013. There is no uniform role for Deputy Mayors, and this can be particularly challenging. The session will include time to explore your individual needs and circumstances and those of your local government. Download your registration form today.
‘Putting Together Your First Council Plan’ – new session due to popular demand!
Wednesday 6 March, 5.30-9pm
60 Leicester St, Carlton
As the key strategic document, the Council Plan guides the direction of the local government into the future. Developing the four-year Council Plan is a crucial opportunity for councillors to set strategy and determine the priorities for the organisation. This training will focus on assisting all councillors to maximise their input into the new Plan, how to monitor and evaluate progress, and how to work with their colleagues and the administration to deliver an effective Council Plan that reflects issues and priorities. Hear from experienced councillors and officers, learn about successful approaches to working with colleagues and have the opportunity to draw on the experience of others to prepare for the Council Plan process. Download your registration form today.
March ‘Leading Edge’ Forum: Melbourne Metropolitan Planning Strategy - what does it mean for the future of Melbourne and Victoria?
Thursday 7 March, 6-9pm
60 Leicester St, Carlton
The Victorian Coalition Government is developing its Metropolitan Planning Strategy.
The public process and conversation began with the release of the Melbourne, let’s talk about the future discussion paper. This Leading Edge Forum will continue the conversation about the challenges and opportunities posed by our ever- growing metropolis. Panel speakers include Roz Hansen, Trevor Budge AM and Marcus Spiller. Register your attendance today.
*Note - where registration numbers are limited, VLGA members will be given priority
Tackling problem gambling – what can your council do?
Thursday 14 March, 5.30-8.30pm
60 Leicester St, Carlton
As part of the VLGA’s ongoing advocacy on gambling reform, the Association is hosting an interactive forum for councillors to discuss the role of local governments in problem gambling policy in Victoria. Register to attend online.
‘The Council – CEO Relationship: Managing Performance’
Wednesday 20 March 5.30-9pm
60 Leicester St, Carlton
Following this very successful Masterclass at the VLGA’s Essential Mayors’ Weekend, we are opening this session up for all councillors. Council’s role includes appointing and managing the CEO. This discussion workshop and panel will explore why performance management is important, why councillors have a role in providing quality feedback and how both parties can benefit from a strong process. Download the flyer and registration form.
Other Events
BioRegional Australia program of events
17-23 February
Various venues
With the Sustainable Living Festival just around the corner BioRegional Australia has put together a program of events, workshops and training on One Planet Living to complement the broad range of activities being run during this period. You can register for the February events online.
‘Computer Mapping for Planners’
University of Melbourne - PIA
23 and 24 March 2013
University of Melbourne Parkville Campus
The University of Melbourne, in conjunction with the Planning Institute of Australia, is offering state-of-the-art training courses in Computer Mapping for Planners. Visit the University of Melbourne website for more information on the three available courses.
2013 Australian Coastal Councils Conference
25-27 March 2013
Stamford Grand Hotel, Glenelg SA
Registration is now open for the Australian Coastal Councils Conference. Topics include the findings of a landmark research project on the impact of tourists and other non-resident populations on coastal communities. The conference will also feature information on a new research project to develop a methodology to capture and document coastal values and character in coastal communities and plans for a collaborative advocacy campaign for the forthcoming Federal election. Contact Susan Faulkner on (02) 9438 1608 or via email for more information.
No comments:
Post a Comment